Page 63 of Ancient Obsession

“I didn’t know that,” Oliver said, hearing the pitch of his voice rise and unable to stop it. “I’ve only been attending classes there a few weeks, and it was the first time I’d been to the library.”

Carter sat forward. “All right, Mr. Berridge, you know the routine. Let’s go over all of it again.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Late into the night, Dave received a crash course in all the legal machinations of small- to mid-sized Pennsylvania towns from Dieter. At this time, they wouldn’t need to retain a lawyer. The most important thing was getting Oliver bailed out before they transferred him to county jail. According to Dieter, since this was Oliver’s first arrest, and they didn’t know of any physical evidence placing him at the murder scenes, his bail could be set at $100,000. That meant Dave would need $10,000 to get him released.

Eileen offered to provide it from her savings, but Dave declined. He’d saved a good chunk of money to put toward a honeymoon, so he had it available. He just had to find out the exact amount, and then get a cashier’s check.

He’d managed maybe three hours of sleep before giving up. His hand shook as he poured another cup of coffee, the liquid sloshing over the rim. His eyes felt gritty no matter how many times he knuckled crusts out of them, and a dull headache pulsed steadily. Clearing his throat, he placed a call to the Glenmont PD and asked the desk clerk if a bail hearing had been set.

“Ah, sure,” the man said. “He’s being arraigned at Judge Harper’s at ten.”

Dave wrote down the judge’s name. “Is that at the courthouse?”

“Courthouse? Nah, it’s his office downtown. At the corner of Bannister and Bridgemont.”

After he’d hung up, he sent Cody a text with the details.

Want me to come along?

No, it’s easier if I do this alone. Thank you.

Got it. I’m probably the last person he’ll want to see after getting out of jail. Let us know when ur home and we can come over if he wants.

Thanks, I’ll let u know.

Love u, little brother.

Dave wiped sudden tears from his eyes before writing back.

Love u, big brother.

The drive to Glenmont took less time than expected. Judge Harper’s office turned out to be a converted brick colonial house. He drove past and located a branch of his bank a few blocks down the road, people in the lobby already. With nowhere else to go and forty minutes until Oliver’s hearing, Dave returned to Judge Harper’s and parked in a small lot in the back. He put the windows down and reclined his seat a bit. The spring breeze brought the scents of fresh mulch intermixed with greasy fried meat from a diner down the street. His stomach gurgled.

Minutes slogged by. He checked his phone. 9:42. Two minutes since the last time. He forced himself to put it face down on the passenger seat.

They’d be able to somehow prove Oliver’s innocence once he was released. He had to believe there was no possible way Oliver could be convicted. But nothing would be over until they stopped the mummy.

One thing at a time. Closing his eyes, he listened to the sounds of life going on around him. A large truck rumbled past on the street out front. Birds scolded and twittered. Bass thumped ear-shatteringly loud from a car Dave guessed was heading toward campus.

He grabbed his phone. It was 9:47. Good enough.

The front door opened to an entry foyer with a tile floor and hooks for coats. A desk was positioned facing the door. Behind it, a woman sat typing on a computer keyboard. She glanced over when he entered, her fingers never slowing.

“Be with you in a moment. Have a seat.”

There were two simple metal frame chairs against the wall. Dave sat in one, leg bouncing and fingers gripping his phone. He blew out a slow breath and focused on the clacking of the keyboard.

“Who are you here for?” the woman asked, her fingers finally at rest.

“Oliver Berridge.”

“He’s being brought over now. Judge will be down shortly. What’s your name?”

Dave stood as he gave his name. She typed something then started flipping through papers. He fidgeted a bit before sitting again.

Boards on the upper floor creaked and someone with a heavy tread descended the stairs. The man was big and broad, on his way to obese. White hair gleamed, and his wide, ruddy face was relaxed and friendly.